Matt Faddes

Matt Faddes (born 6 November 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a Centre, Wing or Fullback for Ulster in the Pro 14 competition.[1]

Matt Faddes
Full nameMatthew Faddes
Date of birth (1991-11-06) 6 November 1991
Place of birthBalclutha, New Zealand
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight93 kg (205 lb; 14.6 st)
SchoolSouth Otago High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Outside Back / Midfield
Current team Ulster
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011−2019 Otago 48 (85)
2016−2019 Highlanders 43 (95)
2019– Ulster 12 (35)
Correct as of 24 May 2020
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012−2013 All Blacks Sevens 3 (17)
Correct as of 18 December 2019

Early career

Born in the town of Balclutha, located halfway between Dunedin and Invercargill on New Zealand's South Island, Faddes was educated at South Otago High School in his hometown.[2]

Professional career

Faddes first played provincial rugby for Otago in 2011 ITM Cup, debuting against North Harbour. He made two appearances in total in 2011 and two more the following year before playing 7 times and scoring 2 tries in 2013 to help the Razorbacks finish 2nd on the Championship log and reach the playoff semi-finals where his 12th minute try was unable to stop them from bowing out 24-29 at home to Hawke's Bay.[3]

He only saw action once in 2014, but in 2015 his career in the 15-man game really began to take off. Having previously played mostly as an outside back, he largely featured as a centre for Otago in 2015 and it was a move that paid off with him scoring 6 tries in 10 games as they reached the Championship playoffs before being comprehensively defeated by Wellington. He continued to be a key player for the Razorbacks in 2016, contributing 3 tries in 11 games as the men from Dunedin topped the Championship standings before surprisingly losing at home by North Harbour in the play off final, a defeat which consigned them to another season of Championship rugby in 2017.[4]

Following the unfortunate defeat Faddes decided to try his hand at a different field, Accounting at the University of Otago.

Super Rugby

Excellent showings in the midfield for Otago during the 2015 ITM Cup saw Faddes earn a Super Rugby contract with the Dunedin-based Highlanders ahead of the 2016 season.[5] He made a dream start to life as a Super Rugby player scoring 10 tries in 16 games, including a hat-trick against the Southern Kings which put him second, behind Israel Folau of the Waratahs in the try scoring charts. His side, the Highlanders, were defending Super Rugby champions in 2016, however they were unable to hold on to their title and were eliminated by the Lions in the semi-finals, losing 42-30 with Faddes' 48th minute try scored in vain.[4]

Tony Brown replaced the Japan-bound Jamie Joseph as Highlanders head coach ahead of the 2017 season and having worked with Faddes at provincial level, he retained him in the squad for his first year in charge.[6]

Move to Ulster

Faddes moved to Northern Ireland to join Ulster ahead of the 2019–20 season, and has played both in the Pro14 and European Rugby Champions Cup.[7]

International

Faddes was an All Blacks Sevens representative in 2013, helping them to victory in the 2013 London Sevens and playing in 3 competitions in total throughout the season.[5]

On 5 November 2016, Faddes featured in the number 14 jersey for the Barbarians in their 31-31 draw against South Africa at Wembley Stadium. He was replaced by Australian Luke Morahan in the 51st minute of the match.[8][9]

Career honours

All Blacks Sevens

Super Rugby statistics
As of 14 May 2019[4]
SeasonTeamGamesStartsSubMinsTriesConsPensDropsPointsYelRed
2016 Highlanders161331043100005010
2017 Highlanders115657460003010
2018 Highlanders8172040000000
2019 Highlanders87155530001500
Total4326172376190009520

References
  1. "Matt Faddes Ulster Player Profile". Ulster Rugby. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  2. "Matt Faddes, the Highlanders' unlikely hero". Rugby Heaven. 14 May 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  3. "Rugby: New attitude key for Faddes". Otago Daily Times. 1 October 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  4. "Matt Faddes itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  5. "Highlanders bolster midfield stocks". Rugby 365. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  6. "Highlanders 2017 Squad Guide" (PDF). All Blacks.com. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  7. "Faddes signing confirmed". Ulster Rugby. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  8. "Former All Black Andy Ellis to skipper Barbarians against Springboks". Rugby Heaven. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  9. "Late van Rensburg try saves South Africa blushes". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
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